Reznikov Reveals When Ukraine Will Receive Its First F-16s

Ukraine will be able to receive its first F-16 fighter jets no sooner than in 6-7 months. The transfer of the aircraft will depend on the timeframe for training Ukrainian specialists. This was reported by RBC-Ukraine, citing a statement from Defense Minister Oleksii Reznikov.

Moreover, it is important to discuss the transfer of munitions—missiles, shells, and bombs—that the F-16 aircraft will carry. Additionally, preparations for infrastructure will be necessary so that Ukraine can service the planes and carry out combat missions.

Furthermore, the minister pointed out that not only the pilots must be trained on the aircraft but also engineers, technicians, and other individuals involved in operations. According to him, this involves several hundred people for the first aircraft in Ukraine’s skies.

“Therefore, I believe that 6-7 months is the minimum timeframe (for transferring F-16s to Ukraine), which should be assessed realistically. But if it takes a little longer, don’t be disappointed, as our pilots have demonstrated their readiness in just 6 months,” he stated.

At the same time, it is still uncertain how long the training for technicians and engineers will last, given the complexity of maintenance and repair systems.